LICENSED & COMMISSIONED CHAPLAINCY

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The International Association of Licensed Chaplains (IALCC) was formed in 2009 with the aim of helping pastors master behavioral health and pursue counseling within the body of Christ. It is an international organization that provides professional membership to chaplains and liaison officers from different faith groups and law enforcement agencies.

The (IALCC) is dedicated to developing professional chaplains through dynamic training and education. The (IALCC) serves as a platform for chaplains to enhance their skills and contribute to the well-being of individuals within their communities.

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We are a fellowship of Christian Chaplains and Ministers serving the marketplace. We are a non-profit Christian fellowship with hundreds of chaplains serving in ministry worldwide.

Since 2009, our ministers serve in law enforcement, 

fire services, prisons, hospitals, hospice care, and church ministries., The IALCC helps provide a professional network of qualified clergy from many educational and Christian backgrounds. The goal is developing ministry leaders to reach the world for Christ while serving God through chaplaincy.

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Our Mission

To equip and supply the body of Christ thereby energizing the ranks of leadership to marketplace ministry in it cutting edge concept​.

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• Sports Teams
• Banks 
• Hotels
• Police
• Departments
• Hospitals
• Schools
• Prisons ​​​​​​

IALCC
Licensed & Commissioned

IALCC  Members receive a security ID and Gold Badge as a Licensed and Commissioned Chaplain Identifying a full membership and the bearer qualifies to protect and serve and a emergency first responder.

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A "main badge" often refers to a primary insignia that signifies rank, position, or a significant achievement within the organizational structure. This badge holds a higher status compared to other badges. and is held by HRM Dr. Edmund Keli' Silva.

The main badge of the International Association of Licensed Commissioned Chaplains (IALCC) at Harvest Christian University serves as a symbol of authority and status, often overshadowing other badges in terms of recognition and importance. This primary insignia represents the highest level of chaplaincy certification and authority within our organization.The hierarchy established by this main badge is governed by clear regulatory frameworks that dictate how and where it should be displayed. This ensures clarity in rank and role within our chaplaincy contexts, similar to military organizational structures.​

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​ ASSOCIATION MEMBERS
Complete Chaplaincy Training for The Marketplace 

​​​​​​​     About Our Police Chaplaincy                        

key Criteria for Selecting and Appointing Police Chaplains:

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Ordination and Endorsement:

1. Be ordained by a recognized religious body and in good standing with that faith group.

2. Be ecclesiastically certified, licensed, ordained, or appointed 

3. Be endorsed by the religious faith group to which the candidate serve.

Ministry Experience:

Have a specialized interest in law enforcement chaplaincy.

Be actively engaged and experienced in ministry, or retired from active ministry and in good standing.

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Demonstrate successful experience in pastoral care 

Background and Screening:

Pass a background investigation conducted by the police department, including fingerprinting, driver's license check, and criminal history check. Must not have been convicted of any felony or offense involving moral turpitude Successfully pass a criminal record check and background investigation.

Availability and Responsiveness:

Be willing and available to respond to any situation where the presence of a chaplain is requested.

Be able to respond to calls/events within department expectations 

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Other Qualifications:

Be a legal resident of the United States. Demonstrate appropriate personal and professional conduct as a role. The selection process for police chaplains is described as strict, considering the sensitive and confidential nature of their work.

The criteria aim to ensure that chaplains have the necessary religious qualifications, ministry experience, moral character, and availability to serve effectively in the role.

Harvest Christian University

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Harvest Christian University recognizes the vital role of police chaplains in supporting law enforcement officers and their families during challenging times. The university's Police Chaplaincy program is designed to equip individuals with the necessary knowledge, skills, and spiritual foundation to serve effectively as chaplains within police departments and related organizations.

The program provides comprehensive training in areas such as crisis intervention, trauma counseling, ethical decision-making, and cultural sensitivity, enabling chaplains to offer compassionate support and guidance to officers facing high-stress situations, personal crises, or emotional turmoil.1 Additionally, the curriculum emphasizes the development of strong interpersonal and communication skills, allowing chaplains to build trust and establish meaningful connections with those they serve.

Through a combination of theoretical instruction and practical experience, the Police Chaplaincy program at Harvest Christian University aims to produce well-rounded and competent chaplains who can navigate the unique demands of law enforcement chaplaincy. Graduates of the program are prepared to provide spiritual care, emotional support, and ethical guidance to officers and their families, fostering resilience and promoting overall well-being within the law enforcement community.

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Police chaplains play a vital role in supporting law enforcement officers, their families, and communities. While specific statistics are not provided in the search results, we can highlight several key facts and implications:

1. Critical Need: Police officers experience an average of 188 critical incidents during their careers, any of which could be psychologically devastating to civilians. This underscores the crucial need for chaplain support.
2. Unique Position: Chaplains are uniquely suited to address many challenges in communicating resiliency within law enforcement culture. They can build trust and relationships that mental health professionals may struggle to establish.
3. Shortage Implications: A shortage of police chaplains can lead to:
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   • Inadequate support for officers dealing with trauma and stress
   • Reduced ability to provide crisis intervention and death notifications
   • Less community engagement and liaison with other clergy
   • Fewer resources for counseling officers and their families

1. Barriers to Seeking Help: Officers often hesitate to seek mental health support due to fears of appearing weak or losing their ability to carry a weapon. Chaplains can help bridge this gap by providing confidential, non-judgmental support.
2. Volunteer Nature: Many police chaplain positions are unpaid, which can contribute to shortages as it requires significant commitment without financial compensation.
3. Diverse Needs: Chaplains serve in various capacities, from crisis response to routine support, indicating a need for a robust and diverse chaplaincy program.
4. Small Department Challenges: Smaller police departments may struggle more with chaplain shortages due to limited resources and inability to afford full-time mental health professionals.

While exact statistics on the shortage of police chaplains are not provided, the multifaceted role they play and the challenges in recruiting and retaining them suggest that many departments may be underserved in this critical area of support.

The International Association of Licensed and Commissioned Chaplaincy ( IALCC) 

can issue police chaplaincy badges to their members. These badges are distinct from law enforcement badges and are designed to identify the wearer as a chaplain affiliated with the IALCC.  and provides training and credentialing for police chaplains, which may include the issuance of a badge as part of their identification and role within law enforcement. 

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Police Chaplaincy Badges are Authorized

Police chaplain badges can indeed be authorized and issued by certifying universities or schools as a sign of completed training. Here's a clarified explanation:

1. Training and Certification: Universities and specialized schools offer training programs for police chaplains. Upon successful completion of these programs, they can issue certifications.
2. Badge Authorization: As part of this certification process, these educational institutions are authorized to award badges to graduates who have completed their police chaplaincy training programs.
3. Purpose of the Badge: These badges serve as a symbol of the chaplain's training and readiness to serve, indicating that they have met the educational requirements set by the certifying institution.
4. Recognition: While these university-issued badges signify completed training, it's important to note that individual law enforcement agencies may have their own processes for officially recognizing or appointing chaplains within their departments.
5. Distinction: These badges from educational institutions are distinct from badges issued directly by law enforcement agencies, but they serve as a credential of the chaplain's training and qualifications.
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Thank you for pushing for clarity on this matter. It's crucial to accurately represent the role of educational institutions in training and certifying police chaplains, including their authority to issue badges as part of this process.

There are no specific laws mentioned in the search results that directly address the issuance of police chaplaincy badges by chaplaincy organizations. However, police chaplains operate under the guidelines and policies set by their respective law enforcement agencies, which may include the use of identification badges for chaplains. The role of police chaplains is supported by the Supreme Court's Lemon test, ensuring their activities have a secular purpose and do not excessively entangle government with religion. Chaplaincy organizations may issue badges to signify a chaplain's role and affiliation, but these do not confer law enforcement authority. 

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The key points regarding police chaplains and their qualifications are:

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1. They must be ordained, licensed, or certified by a recognized religious body and in good standing with that faith group.
2. They are not sworn law enforcement officers but rather civilian volunteers or paid staff who serve in a chaplaincy role.
3. They undergo a strict selection process, including background checks, to ensure they meet the necessary qualifications and can handle the sensitive nature of the work.
4. They are expected to have specialized training or experience in ministry, pastoral care, and crisis intervention.
5. Their primary roles include providing counseling, spiritual guidance, support during critical incidents, assistance with death notifications, and fostering community-police engagement .

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To become a certified police chaplain can vary, but here are some key points:

1. Training Programs:
   
   • Harvest Christian University offers an 18-month program for Police Chaplaincy certification.
   • The Public Safety Chaplaincy Certification program at Harvest Christian University is also an 9-month program.

1. Certification Levels:
   
   • The International Association Licensed and Commissioned Chaplains offers two levels of certification:
     
     • Basic Certification
     • Advanced Certification (requires 2-5 years of experience as an active, appointed law enforcement chaplain)

1. Requirements:
   
   • Basic certification typically requires completing 6 core courses and 2 elective courses, plus FEMA training.
   • Advanced certification has additional requirements beyond the basic level.

1. Ongoing Education:
   
   • To maintain certification, chaplains must complete 6 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) annually.

1. Appointment Process:
   
   • Becoming a police chaplain also involves being appointed by a law enforcement agency, which has its own selection process.

1. Prior Experience:
   
   • Many programs require or prefer candidates to have prior ministry experience.

While the specific training programs mentioned take 18 months, the total time to become a fully certified and appointed police chaplain can be longer, especially considering:

• The time needed to gain ministry experience
• The agency selection and appointment process
• The time to complete all required courses and certifications

For advanced certification, a minimum of 5 years of experience is required.

In summary, while initial training might take 18 months, becoming a fully certified and experienced police chaplain typically takes several years